Here we go again... 'He said he supports groups such as the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps because they draw attention to problems on the border. Asked about his own strategy for securing the border, Friedman said, "I'm not sure. I don't have a plan." He said he would appoint people who care about the state to develop a plan based on his motto: "Remember the Alamo."' That's about as much evidence as I need to understand that Kinky Friedman is a Republican. "

His rhetorical framing has shifted and that's is pissing me off too. But let's look at the policy he just rolled out and, oh, I don't know... Chris Bell.

KINKY: "His plans for illegal immigration include increasing the number of Texas National Guard troops on the border (from the current 1,500 to 10,000)..."
BELL: Securing our Border: The very first priority in addressing illegal immigration needs to be securing our border. The simple truth is that federal government has failed in this mission, and Rick Perry has been far less aggressive then other border governors in meeting this challenge. It’s time for Texas to step up and restore order on the border. That’s why Chris Bell supports the deployment of the National Guard to the border.

KINKY: "...imposing $25,000 and $50,000 fines on companies that hire illegal immigrants..."
BELL: "Cracking Down on Illegal Hiring: There are already federal laws on the books that make it illegal for business to knowingly hire undocumented workers"

KINKY: "...and requiring foreign nationals seeking employment to purchase a foreign taxpayer ID card once they have passed a criminal background check."
BELL: "Real Immigration Reform: Securing the border needs to be a top priority, but we can’t talk about border security without having a meaningful discussion about immigration reform. Common sense says we need to reject policies that drive immigrants even further underground, while also rejecting policies that provide further incentives to enter the country illegally. Amnesty is not the answer. Giving blanket amnesty would undermine our efforts to secure the border and discriminate against immigrants who come to country legally. At the same time, our goal is to know as much as possible about who is crossing our borders, which is why we need to avoid policies that will drive undocumented immigrants even further underground."

Look, I think every candidate in this race right now is further to the right then all reasonable people on this issue. I think the smartest person is... Kinky five months ago. Read this: “I’ve been urging action on the border for over a year,” Friedman said. “I’m pleased that Congress is finally debating an issue I’ve been talking about since I announced my candidacy – the re-introduction of a guest worker program that allows immigrants to legally enter our country and seek opportunities. I hope this puts an end to the countless lives that have been lost on the backs of cargo container trucks on U.S. soil at the hands of coyotes who take advantage of those seeking a better life.” Kinky believes that the U.S. Senate is on the right track--with a plan that includes limited amnesty for hard-working illegal immigrants already in this country, a work program ending in citizenship for aspiring immigrants, and increased border security measures to combat the spread of drugs and terrorism. He also promised to meet with the Democratic governors of Arizona and New Mexico to work on joint solutions to the unique problems border states face--something the current governor, a Republican, has never done.

I don't think Kinky has flip flopped, but he has shifted focus and now is as far right as that evil man Chris Bell. I hope he gets back on track on this issue, but he's still trouncing Bell on everything else I care about.

Sources:
http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/2006/09/friedman_addresses_immigration.html
http://www.chrisbell.com/issues/immigration
http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/2006/03/kinky_outlines_his_position_on.html

Slate: What was most annoying about Larson's borrowing your characters and situations?

Schulman: At base, it's the issue of taking authentic material made by people who don't have rights, twisting it so they are secondary in their own life story, and thereby bringing it center stage in a mainstream piece that does not advocate for them. That's an insidious but very American process. It's gone on for many, many years, [for instance with] black music, and with all kinds of fashion. So, being part of that is annoying, as you put it.

Not making any money from it was also quite annoying, since Rent has earned an enormous amount, certainly enough for me to get an apartment with an elevator. But the larger issue has to do with the representation of AIDS, gay people, and urban gentrification. These three areas have been massively misrepresented in mainstream entertainment and media, and Rent is the epitome of that misrepresentation.